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Multiple instruments are available for assessing dark personalities, creating the problem of selection for researchers. This COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments) review systematically interprets 59 manuscripts pertaining to the original development of 64 instruments. The psychometric qualities of each dark measure were appraised by applying COSMIN ratings of quality to the development studies and sufficiency ratings to the psychometric evidence on measurement outcomes. Measures with higher COSMIN ratings are recommended over measures with lower ratings. Stronger appraisals indicate that original evidence demonstrated higher psychometric quality against COSMIN, reflecting greater confidence in measurement outcomes. Multidimensional measures with the strongest appraisals were: The Five Factor Antagonistic Triad Measure for the Dark Triad; the Five Factor Narcissism Inventory and Pathological Narcissism Inventory, including brief versions for narcissism; the Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies for sadism; the Machiavellian Personality Scale and Five Factor Machiavellianism Inventory for Machiavellianism; and the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale Fourth Version for psychopathy. Moderate appraisals indicate instruments with promise, which could be selected for further psychometric testing. We encourage faceted assessment of dark personalities in future, to increase understandings of the shared versus distinct aspects of the traits and strengthen specificity in the prediction of outcomes. • COSMIN method utilised to identify best performing dark personality instruments • FFNI and PNI, and SRP-4 were highly rated measures of narcissism and psychopathy. • FFMI and MPS, and CAST were highly rated measures of Machiavellianism and sadism. • FFM-ATM is a promising combined dark trait measure, requiring greater validation. • Prioritization of multifaceted measures is encouraged in dark personality research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]